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The Who — Magic Bus (live)
Album: Live At Leeds
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2453









Released: 1970
Length: 7:31
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Every day I get in the queue (Too much, Magic Bus)
To get on the bus that takes me to you (Too much, Magic Bus)
I'm so nervous, I just sit and smile (Too much, Magic Bus)
You house is only another mile (Too much, Magic Bus)

Thank you, driver, for getting me here (Too much, Magic Bus)
You'll be an inspector, have no fear (Too much, Magic Bus)
I don't want to cause no fuss (Too much, Magic Bus)
But can I buy your Magic Bus? (Too much, Magic Bus)

Nooooooooo!

I don't care how much I pay (Too much, Magic Bus)
I wanna drive my bus to my baby each day (Too much, Magic Bus)
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it ... (You can't have it!)
Thruppence and sixpence every day
Just to drive to my baby
Thruppence and sixpence each day
'Cause I drive my baby every way

Magic Bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus ...

I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)
I drive my baby every way (Too much, Magic Bus)
Each time I go a different way (Too much, Magic Bus)

I want it, i want it, I want it, I want it ...

Every day you'll see the dust (Too much, Magic Bus)
As I drive my baby in my Magic Bus (Too much, Magic Bus)
Comments (215)add comment
How f'n good!!! A truly outstanding album.
Possibly the greatest live album ever!!
There are/were many great rock drummers;
Keith Moon is very close to the top of that heap. 
Not a fan of most of their early live recordings, but this is solid. 
The 'Be good, Rogers'
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Spare us the ridiculous hyperbole.  
Both albums are great.


Agree...both album great but the Brits rock harder.
 kcar wrote:

Better than a quart of coffee. 




LOL! Too True!  Good Morning!   
 chesleyburt392 wrote:


yes
 funkyalfonso wrote:

In 1975 I rode on the famous " Magic Bus " in Holland which drove to Kathmandu Nepal. I remember a lot of wine drinking to dull the pain of the wooden seats. Well, it was cheap
but a very old bus. I got off in Athens to find some other shenanigans  but I did that journey because of this song.




Cool story. Thank You for sharing it.
 justlistening wrote:

My 15 year old sister got this when I was 8.  I didn't fully appreciate it at the time, being only 8. I think I remember finding it too loud - lol - what was wrong with me?

But I often look back and appreciate that I had an older sibling who exposed me to a generation of music I might not have had on my radar otherwise.  Thanks Sis.



I think "too loud" was the whole point 
Better than a quart of coffee. 
Bumped to a 9 on a rocket to 10 and beyond. Damn those were the days.
Wow, this gains a lot when done live.
Live at Leeds, the best live album ever?

Well, that depends if you like the WHO, but that aside, it does rank amongst the seminal live performances of any band in terms of being so tight, powerful and exhibiting a pure embodiment of the band itself - it just smacks of a band at the absolute peak of their power, enjoying every moment.

That's the main reason it is considered one of the best live recordings of all time - it is near perfect.
 wildmanfromSB wrote:

NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  
you really cannot compare the two - totally different sounds. the Who were LOUD by design. both fun in very different ways

They did the first rock opera and they did this.  Now that is some range.
Has to be the most awesome version ever.  A+
 buddy wrote:

One of the best live rock albums ever, IMHO. Raw, full of energy.



The long version of My Generation, which includes elements of 'Tommy' is a perfect example of that raw energy - a stunning live piece....13 minutes of dynamics.
SUPER GREAT!!!!  ICONIC!!!!   ...I bought the album, right after it came out, while I was in high school! I was 15yrs old.  ...and, it sounds better now in FLAC, w/ great phones, amp & DAC!
 Ohmsen wrote:

What led to the Brit Invasion?




The Beatles started it! ....and then there was an onslaught! ...I saw the Beatles play on the Ed Sullivan TV show! Their big debut! I made the whole family watch. My mom & grandparents did not know what to make of them, but I loved them!!!
What led to the Brit Invasion?
Gave it a 10 because this song is so fucking cool
From 5:15 to 6:15 is a kinetic buildup of rock energy that few, if any, can match! Keith is pure perfection. This song is a 10 and my stereo is playing it at 11.

Long Live Rock!
I had this big ol bear of a friend back in 1976, when I got to my first ship. He always said "The Who!" and anybody else was second rate. Makes me smile to think of that guy.
How Pete behaved onstage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zElXqITulU8
 nelamvr6 wrote:

Can't stand this song. So boring. 



So's your mom.
Rude and Crude Rock...Quite nice
Now I've got my Magic Bus!!!!!!!!!!
 wildmanfromSB wrote:
NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  

Spare us the ridiculous hyperbole.  
Both albums are great.
Egads!

Who is playing them drums?

Only the world's best RnR drummer, that's who. 
Ain't nothing wrong with that chit there!
Well they got away with it.
Hiwatt guitar hardballs to the chest.  Don't make 'em like that anymore!
 wildmanfromSB wrote:

NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  
 

They say opinions be like... And I LOVE Fillmore East...
 nelamvr6 wrote:
Can't stand this song. So boring. 
 

PSD for thee!
Can't stand this song. So boring. 
YEAH!   
I hope they sent Bo Diddley a couple pence every time this was played on the radio.
 wildmanfromSB wrote:

NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  
 
"Magic Bus" may be the worst track on what I (along with others) think is a great live album--listened to it over and over when I was younger and loved it! Please give the rest of it a listen.
kurtster wrote:
This is simply the best live rock album ever. I had the pleasure of seeing the US leg of this tour back then at The Spectrum in Philly. The whole 2 1/2 hour concert was recently made available in 2016 on CD and vinyl. The quality is outstanding. I got the vinyl. Highly recommend this especially if you are a Who fan.


wildmanfromSB wrote:

NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  
 

I think, perhaps, you're overlooking/forgetting about Little Feat's Waiting For Columbus
Up there with the best live albums ever and what a sound. The Ox's bass is formidable throughout.

Highly recommend the deluxe version...
 jbuhl wrote:
Man,  back in the mid 70s down on the river bank in KY.  We run a stereo off a generator.  Slam dancing around the campfire with PBR and crappy Mexican weed.  
 

I am thinking the generator sounded better than this album  
 kurtster wrote:
This is simply the best live rock album ever.  I had the pleasure of seeing the US leg of this tour back then at The Spectrum in Philly.  The whole 2 1/2 hour concert  was recently made available in 2016 on CD and vinyl.  The quality is outstanding.  I got the vinyl.  Highly recommend this especially if you are a Who fan.
 
NOT EVEN CLOSE to being the best live album ever.   THE ALLMAN BROTHERS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST makes this sound like kids fucking around with toy instruments.  
Such massive sound from what was such a tight, shallow stage at Leeds.
 Kumpel schrieb:
Eines der besten Live-Rock-Alben aller Zeiten, IMHO. Roh, voller Energie.
 

Townshend is a god...
 idiot_wind wrote:
Wow. This band sure could use a drummer. 
 
And a bass player.
Man,  back in the mid 70s down on the river bank in KY.  We run a stereo off a generator.  Slam dancing around the campfire with PBR and crappy Mexican weed.  
 idiot_wind wrote:
Wow. This band sure could use a drummer. 
 

Moon...just brilliant here. 
Some iconic sh*t!
Before they became super famous and super rich, playing for the pure unadulterated joy of it.
The youthful exuberance and FUN comes pouring out of the speakers.
Pete, John and Keith kicking some serious butt.
Half a century ago . . . wow, where does the time go?

More frantic excellence from the same year . . .
WhoIsleofWight1970
Great song from one of the all time best Live albums.
It all comes down to energy and freedom. 
Excellent. I like the 5 one-off reunions listed!!



 idiot_wind wrote:
Wow. This band sure could use a drummer. 
 They had two when I saw them and a brass section - didn't quite seem like the genuine Who but an extremely enjoyable night all the same!!!
My 15 year old sister got this when I was 8.  I didn't fully appreciate it at the time, being only 8. I think I remember finding it too loud - lol - what was wrong with me?

But I often look back and appreciate that I had an older sibling who exposed me to a generation of music I might not have had on my radar otherwise.  Thanks Sis.
Rock& roll perfection.
 funkyalfonso wrote:
In 1975 I rode on the famous " Magic Bus " in Holland which drove to Kathmandu Nepal. I remember a lot of wine drinking to dull the pain of the wooden seats. Well, it was cheap
but a very old bus. I got off in Athens to find some other shenanigans  but I did that journey because of this song.
 
Right on. 
In 1975 I rode on the famous " Magic Bus " in Holland which drove to Kathmandu Nepal. I remember a lot of wine drinking to dull the pain of the wooden seats. Well, it was cheap
but a very old bus. I got off in Athens to find some other shenanigans  but I did that journey because of this song.
They don’t make em like they used ta
Thunder fingers on bass.
This is simply the best live rock album ever.  I had the pleasure of seeing the US leg of this tour back then at The Spectrum in Philly.  The whole 2 1/2 hour concert  was recently made available in 2016 on CD and vinyl.  The quality is outstanding.  I got the vinyl.  Highly recommend this especially if you are a Who fan.
Wow. This band sure could use a drummer. 
One of the best live rock albums ever, IMHO. Raw, full of energy.
geil
Oh the irony.... One of the few things that bugged me about The Who was the poor recording quality of their albums. Now here is a live, jammed up version of Magic Bus that surpasses any studio album they released in terms of engineering....
awful
The best version of this song by far, but it's still way too long and way too boring.
This must only be played at Eleven to the eleventh power and no less than that whilst simultaneously playing air guitar, air bass guitar and air drumming too of course while singing your lungs out!  High school all over again! 

Please follow this with the Woodstock live version of I'm Going Home by Alvin Lee and Ten Years After!

 coloradojohn wrote:
Oh I remember being in my Cutlass Supreme making out with the incredible Kim Sanders, and this came on, and I freaked her out with some wicked air-guitar — could not resist! and by golly it still gets my arm a milling!  Nothing quite ROCKS like this, does it?! Go Pete!


 
Pictures of Lily we know. Now I want some of that incredible Kim Sanders. Pictures, I mean
shout out to Bo Diddley
 crockydile wrote:
Ugh. A contrast to the Pretenders live. This sucks. It was a bad song originally. This "version" brings it to a new low. {#Clap}
 
I see why you miss Excelsior.
you nailed it Zodell!
Sometimes it all comes together, that night in Leeds, The Who showed the world how to rock... The recording is considered the epitome of live shows, the artists in their prime. Oh, madman Moon, Buddy Rich's demon love child.
 robca wrote:
I've been listening for years, first time I've heard it...
 
exactly
Bl**dy awful - 7+ minutes of awfulness
 driver8 wrote:
  
Blue Plaque Unveiling
...


Daltrey and Townshend thanked the University of Leeds; both for inviting them to play the original gig and for inviting them back.


“Without those unions to play to play, the venues were thin on the ground, so my big thanks to Leeds for being there” said Roger Daltrey.


Townshend added: “This is the perfect, perfect venue to start this tour. I’m so happy and so made up to be here.”





  Based on a photo I saw in the paper yesterday, these geezers have slipped over the hill quite a bit since this picture was taken. I have doubts about their ability to twirl/sling microphones around or to thrash a guitar. Of course, with wireless microphones maybe this is not important.



Oh, hell yeah. WAKE UP RP!

Play it loud.


{#Wave}.. 10 
{#Propeller}{#Sunny}{#Lol} whodat
{#Notworthy}

Sublime.


Another prime example of a Live recording far outwieghs the studio verion ... Oh such memories and Moon Man giving it Max in fact all the band gave all here, Thanks for playing it Bill & Rebecca.
this could be one of the the best live albums ever......well in my collection anyway... 
ROCK N ROLL!

No wonder Townsend went deaf. 
Arguably one of the best live shows ever recorded, The Who were at the very top of their game ...
I remember Kim Sanders turning me on to this LP... man, she sure liked to ROCK!
 coloradojohn wrote:
Oh I remember being in my Cutlass Supreme making out with the incredible Kim Sanders, and this came on, and I freaked her out with some wicked air-guitar — could not resist! and by golly it still gets my arm a milling!  Nothing quite ROCKS like this, does it?! Go Pete!


 
{#Lol}
got my ticket....{#Dance}
Ugh. A contrast to the Pretenders live. This sucks. It was a bad song originally. This "version" brings it to a new low. {#Clap}
I haven't heard this in long while.  I must get my turntable fixed.
 capandjudy wrote:

Agreed!! however the sound quality is horrible.
 
Agreed.  Which is why Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus (an astoundingly well-recorded album from not much later) gets my vote for best live rock recording ever.  But this is a close second. . . .

Live albums don't get much better than this!!!!
The audience sounds so amazingly unenthusiastic at the end. I've heard louder crowds at a ligyrophobiacs anonymous meeting. Of course I can't say if it's the recording or just the interminable song.
always been fascinated by the cover of this LP.
simple & straight & rough & with enough white space: for filling up with your own imagination....
just like the music itself....

 driver8 wrote:  And Roger's still as hot looking as ever! {#Hearteyes}


Can't have too much magic bus !
 scraig wrote:

I have the LP hanging on the ceiling of my garage...as art. I love the B&W photo inserts too. I will have to pull it down and give it a listen.

 

I didn't know there were any photos. I stole it from my older brother when he went off to college. He must have lost the pictures.
Bummer.
 bronorb wrote:
I just plopped the vinyl version of this album on the turntable this past weekend.
Played it real freaking loud!
Best live album ever, bar none.
 
I have the LP hanging on the ceiling of my garage...as art. I love the B&W photo inserts too. I will have to pull it down and give it a listen.

Al_Koholic
(Exit 82, NJ)
Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 12:50 < Reply >

copymonkey wrote:

You're right Kim Sanders WAS incredible!

Man, she sure got around. When I was with her she was just OK, but to hear she was incredible-I must have taught her something.  You are all welcome.



Well, when I knew her my air guitar quite simply blew her away. She was never the same!
 bronorb wrote:
I just plopped the vinyl version of this album on the turntable this past weekend.
Played it real freaking loud!
Best live album ever, bar none.
 
Agreed!! however the sound quality is horrible.


copymonkey wrote:


You're right Kim Sanders WAS incredible!

Man, she sure got around. When I was with her she was just OK, but to hear she was incredible-I must have taught her something.  You are all welcome.


 coloradojohn wrote:
Oh I remember being in my Cutlass Supreme making out with the incredible Kim Sanders, and this came on, and I freaked her out with some wicked air-guitar — could not resist! and by golly it still gets my arm a milling!  Nothing quite ROCKS like this, does it?! Go Pete!

 

You're right Kim Sanders WAS incredible!
Live at Leeds...awesome!
Oh, that's what this song is about!

Gonna ride her til the juice run down my leg


DrummerBananajamDancingbanana_2Bananajumprope
One Hundred, English Pounds!
I just plopped the vinyl version of this album on the turntable this past weekend.
Played it real freaking loud!
Best live album ever, bar none.
Oh I remember being in my Cutlass Supreme making out with the incredible Kim Sanders, and this came on, and I freaked her out with some wicked air-guitar — could not resist! and by golly it still gets my arm a milling!  Nothing quite ROCKS like this, does it?! Go Pete!

EssexTex wrote:
This is what the Who did best..live jammin....perfect, from one of the best live rock albums ever made!


Check out the Who at the Isle of Wight concert if you can.  Amazing performances.

  
Blue Plaque Unveiling
...


Daltrey and Townshend thanked the University of Leeds; both for inviting them to play the original gig and for inviting them back.


“Without those unions to play to play, the venues were thin on the ground, so my big thanks to Leeds for being there” said Roger Daltrey.


Townshend added: “This is the perfect, perfect venue to start this tour. I’m so happy and so made up to be here.”




Hard to believe it's been 40 years since this hit the airways for the first time . . .  Man, what a summer that was . . .  Good times, good times.{#Bounce}
This is what the Who did best..live jammin....perfect, from one of the best live rock albums ever made!
Yeah, love The Who, but this is not my favorite.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the Who but this song has it's place and it's not here. At least not for me. But it has generated a lot of praise from fellow RP listeners, so I'll just go get another beer, and hey! now they're playing R.E.M. Bet ya people aren't as forgiving of R.E.M. as I've been of the Who!!! (at least this song, mind you).
David_Murray wrote:
OK.... I love the Who, but I am hearing this much too much!!!! Once every couple of months will do Bill!!! There is some much more out there... Can we please add to your playing list?? Thanks
Hey, I'll take this anytime as an antidote to the daily force-feedings of Dengue Fever and Tori Amos!
I've been listening for years, first time I've heard it...
huebdoo wrote:
I have to admit I love this version ... they rock ... very clean ... polished even ... This would have been a great concert what year was it?
1967 +/-
OK.... I love the Who, but I am hearing this much too much!!!! Once every couple of months will do Bill!!! There is some much more out there... Can we please add to your playing list?? Thanks